Image display device and method for controlling the same

ABSTRACT

A display device includes a display; a first external interface configured to be connected to a first external device; a second external interface configured to be connected to a second external device; and a controller. The controller is configured to detect a connection signal from the first external device or the second external device connected to one of the first external interface and the second external interface, receive a first image content from the first external device connected to the display device via the first external interface if the connection signal of the first external device is detected, display, on an external source list menu for selecting the first external device or the second external device, a first moving image obtained after receiving a first capture start signal until receiving a second capture end signal from a remote controller.

CROSS REFERENCE TO THE RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application is a Continuation of co-pending U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/188,568 filed on Jun. 21, 2016, which is a Continuation ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/446,538 filed on Apr. 21, 2009 (nowU.S. Pat. No. 9,426,404 issued on Aug. 23, 2016), which is the NationalPhase of PCT International Application No. PCT/KR2008/004259 filed onJul. 21, 2008, which claims the priority benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2007-0073250 filed in theRepublic of Korea on Jul. 23, 2007, all of which are hereby expresslyincorporated by reference into the present application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present disclosure relates to an image display device, and moreparticularly, to an image display device that allows a user to edit alabel displaying an external device connected to the image displaydevice.

The present disclosure relates to an image display device that canexecute an external device connected thereto using a label displayingthe external device, and a method thereof.

Discussion of the Related Art

Generally, an image display device such as a digital television (DTV)selects broadcast signals of a channel selected by a user from broadcastsignals transmitted from a broadcasting station, demodulates theselected broadcast signals, separates the signals into voice signals andimage signals, performs corresponding voice and image processes on thesignals to output the signals through a screen and a speaker.

Also, as TV technology develops in the field of an image display devicerecently, a method for transmitting broadcast signals develops andaccordingly an interest in the DTV that applies a digital transmissionmethod increase. A storage is provided inside the DTV to store variousimages, and displaying the images can be performed.

Also, at least one external interface is provided to the TV, so thatconnection with an external device can be performed through the externalinterface. Therefore, a user can view not only images stored inside theTV but also various images stored in the above-connected external devicethrough the TV.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a related art, when an external device is connected through anexternal interface, an on-screen-display (OSD) informing a user ofinformation of an external device currently connected is displayed onthe right upper end of a TV screen in general. That is, names definedand stored in advance during a manufacturing process such as AV1, AV2,high definition multimedia interface (HDMI) are displayed on the screen.However, such an OSD is difficult for a general user to recognize moreor less.

External devices connected to the TV may be an external memory and avideo recorder in general. In case of displaying information of theexternal device as in the related art OSD displaying, the kind of theexternal device and corresponding information are difficult for a userto recognize.

Embodiments provide an image display device that allows information ofan external device connected to the image display device to be easilyrecognized by allowing a user to directly set the information of theexternal device connected to the image display device.

In one embodiment, an image display device includes: an external signalinput unit connected to an external device; a user input unit selectingthe external device connected to the external signal input unit; amemory unit storing a label as information corresponding to the externaldevice, set by a user; a controller controlling the label as theinformation of the external device, stored in the memory unit, to bedisplayed; and a display unit outputting the label.

In another embodiment, an image display device includes: an externalsignal input unit receiving an image signal provided from an externaldevice; a display unit displaying an image signal provided from theexternal signal input unit; a user input unit receiving a user commandto capture an image displayed through the display unit; a memory unitstoring the captured image; and a controller controlling the capturedimage as information regarding the external device connected to theexternal signal input unit to be output to the display unit.

In further another embodiment, a method for controlling an image displaydevice includes: in the case where an external device is to be connectedto the image display device, setting a label representing information ofthe connected external device; and when the external device is connectedto the image display device after the label is set, displaying the labelset in advance as information of the external device on a display unit.

The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanyingdrawings and the description below. Other features will be apparent fromthe description and drawings, and from the claims.

According to the present disclosure, a user can directly set a labelindicating information of an external device connected to an imagedisplay device using a desired image and text, so that the kind andinformation of the external device can be easily recognized when theexternal device is connected.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram explaining an image display device accordingto an embodiment.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are views exemplarily illustrating a method of displayinga connected external device using a label according to an embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart explaining the operation of an image displaydevice according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the presentdisclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram explaining an image display device accordingto an embodiment.

In the following description, though an image display device such as aDTV having a tuner is described as an embodiment, the spirit of thepresent disclosure is not limited to the DTV demultiplexing a channelselected by a tuner to show an image.

Referring to FIG. 1, an image display device includes a tuner 10 tuningand outputting broadcast signals, a demodulator 20 demodulating signalsof a channel selected by the tuner 10, a demultiplexer 30 demultiplexingdemodulated signals into audio, and video, a digital videobroadcasting-service information (DVB-SI) table and a program and systeminformation protocol (PSIP) table, an image signal processor 40controlling a video signal of demultiplexed signals to be decoded andoutput, and a display unit 50 displaying an image signal output from theimage signal processor 40.

Also, the image display device includes an on-screen-display (OSD)generator 70 displaying a predetermined label through the display unit50, and an external signal input unit 110 connected to an externaldevice to receive an image signal or a voice signal provided from theexternal device.

Also, the image display device includes a controller 90 judging the kindof an external device connected through the external signal input unit110, and controlling a label set by a user to be displayed through thedisplay unit 50 using the judged information.

The tuner 10 tunes TV broadcast signals received through an antenna ANTto broadcast signals in a predetermined frequency band in response to atuning control signal from the controller 90.

The broadcast signals of the tuned predetermined channel pass through ademodulation process and an error correction process by the demodulator20, and are output in the form of a transport stream. Also,corresponding data are separated into image signals, audio signals, andvarious additional data by the demultiplexer 30, and output in the formof a bit stream.

Also, image signals separated by the demultiplexer 30 are decoded andpass through a process of the image signal processor 40, and aredisplayed on the display unit 50. Here, the display unit 50 can berealized in various forms such as digital light processing (DLP), aliquid crystal display (LCD) device, and a plasma display panel (PDP).The image signal processor 40 includes a scaler changing image signalsso that they are suitable for a vertical frequency, resolution, and anaspect ratio meeting the output standard of the display unit 50.

Particularly, the controller 90 controls a label designated to anexternal device to be displayed through the display unit 50 so that auser easily knows the connection state or the kind of the externaldevice.

Also, the controller 90 controls image signals provided through theexternal signal input unit 110 to be output through the display unit 50,and controls a specific label designated by a user to be providedtogether through the display unit 50.

Here, the label can be a moving image or an image set by the user. Theuser can store a moving image and an image obtained by capturing aprogram being broadcasted or image signals provided through the externalsignal input unit 110 using a label editor 100 in the memory unit 60.

Also, the image display device further includes a user input unit 80receiving commands for controlling various operations of the imagedisplay device or capturing an image displayed through the display unit50 by a user.

A remote controller controlling the operation of the image displaydevice includes specific keys allowing the user to set and change alabel. The user input unit 80 receives information through the remotecontroller.

Particularly, the user can manipulate the remote controller to capturean image displayed through the display unit 50. When the command isdelivered to the user input unit 80, the controller 90 stores a capturedimage in the memory unit 60.

Also, in the case where a captured image is provided by an externaldevice connected to the external signal input unit 110, the controller90 stores the captured image as a representative image of thecorresponding external device.

Generally, the user of the image display device connects at least oneexternal device to the image display device, and the external devicemaintains a connection state for a long time.

For example, a digital versatile disc (DVD) can be connected to an HDMIterminal, and a video game console can be connected to a video terminal.In this case, the user can capture an image of the video game consoleprovided through the video terminal, and the captured image can berepresented as a label representing the connected game console.

Therefore, in the case where the user intends to connect an externaldevice while watching a TV, the user manipulates the remote controllerto enter a menu for selecting an external device. An image generated bycapturing as an indication of a game console connected to the videoterminal can appear on the menu.

Through the menu, the user can easily know the kind and contents of theexternal device currently connected, and can set connection to thecorresponding external device using the captured image.

An embodiment thereof is illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are views exemplarily illustrating a method of displayinga connected external device using a label according to an embodiment.Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a case where a video game console isconnected to the video terminal is illustrated.

When the user inputs the menu for selecting the external deviceconnected to the image display device, a captured image that has beenoutput from the video game console connected to the video terminal isdisplayed in the case where the currently connected external device is avideo game console.

Of course, the user has stored the captured image in advance as thelabel of the video game console connected to the video terminal.

Therefore, when the user enters the menu for selecting the externaldevice and a label is displayed for a specific external input unit, theuser can know the external device has been connected and the kind of theexternal device as well.

Here, since a construction that the controller 90 judges the kind of anexternal device connected to the external signal input unit 110 isgenerally known, detailed description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 2 illustrates a label representing a video game console as anexternal device has been connected is displayed in a specific imageaccording to an embodiment, and FIG. 3 illustrates a case where a userdirectly inputs a game title “Nintendo Wii” not a case where the userhas set the label as an image.

Meanwhile, though description has been made for the label set by theuser using image signals provided through the external signal input unit110, the user can a separate image or characters.

In the case where an image being input through the external signal inputunit 110 is captured and used as a label, the user can more easilydiscriminate the kind of a connected external device.

For example, in the case where a DVD player is connected to the HDMIterminal of the external signal input terminal 110, the user captures aspecific scene or moving image while watching the DVD and uses thecaptured scene or moving image as a label representing the DVD player.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart explaining the operation of an image displaydevice according to an embodiment.

The image display device receives minimum power to operate in a standbymode and stands by image reception under control of the controller 90(S200).

When detecting a predetermined input signal during the standby mode, thecontroller 90 judges whether the detected input signal is a connectionsignal of an external device through the external signal input unit 110(S205).

Also, when detecting that the input signal is an input signal of theexternal device, the controller 90 controls an image stored in aninternal memory of the connected external device to be read, and imagesor audios are output through the display unit 50 or a speaker (S210).

At this point, the controller 90 judges whether a label that can displayinformation of the connected external device on the display unit 50 hasbeen set (S215).

The label includes information of the external device such as kind andstate information of the connected external device and connection portinformation.

When the label set in advance by the user has been stored in the memoryunit 60 as a result of the judgment (S215), the controller 90 controlsthe set label to be displayed on the display unit 50 (S240).

Meanwhile, when the label set by the user does not exist, a message asto whether to execute capturing of an image currently being output bythe display unit 50 is output on the display unit 50.

Therefore, the controller 90 receives a response signal corresponding tothe message as to whether to execute the capturing of the displayedimage from the user to capture an image currently displayed by thedisplay unit 50 (S225).

At this point, the controller 90 can capture an image displayed at apoint at which a confirmation key informing confirmation of the messageis input.

Also, in case of receiving an image capture request signal a pluralityof times, an image can be captured and stored every input point. Also,when an image capture start signal is input, and an image capture endsignal is input after a predetermined time elapses, then a moving imagedisplayed for the predetermined time can be stored in the memory unit60.

The controller 90 outputs a message as to whether to execute editing ofthe captured image (S230), and then executes an edit mode of the imageaccording to selection of the user (S245), or stores the image in thememory unit 60 without executing the editing of the image (S235).

The captured image and information of an external device currentlyconnected are mapped and stored in the memory unit 60.

After that, the controller 90 displays the information of a currentlyconnected external device and a captured image on a predeterminedposition of the display unit 50 according to the set label for auser-requested time or an arbitrary time (S240).

The predetermined position of the label displayed on the display unit 50can be set by the user or can be a default position.

Meanwhile, in the case where the user sets a label, a displayed imagedoes not need to be necessarily captured but the label can be set usingthe image stored in advance in the internal memory of the externaldevice or the memory unit 60 (S250).

Therefore, the controller 90 displays a list of the images stored in theinternal memory of the external device or the memory unit 60 (S255), andreceives at least one image selected from the displayed list (s260).

The controller judges whether to execute an edit mode of the selectedimage (230) to edit the image (S245) or store the image in the memoryunit 60 (S235).

In the above-mentioned image edit mode, the size, color, and brightnessof the captured image or moving image can be controlled. In the casewhere a plurality of images or moving images are captured, grouping ofcaptured images or moving images can be executed.

Also, in the case where an image signal is provided from an externaldevice through the external signal input unit 110 according to anembodiment, a relevant label can be displayed for a predetermined timeor continuously at a portion on a screen even while the image signal isdisplayed through the display unit 50.

As described above, the image display device according to the embodimentdisplays an external device input label in the following way. When theexternal device is connected, whether a label set in advance by a userexists is judged. When a label set is performed, a moving image or animage displayed from the external device is captured, so that a labelthat can display the information of the external device is stored by theuser. Therefore, when an input of the same external device occurs, thelabel set in advance by the user can be displayed.

Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number ofillustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerousother modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled inthe art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles ofthis disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modificationsare possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subjectcombination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawingsand the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications inthe component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also beapparent to those skilled in the art.

Since the spirit of the present disclosure can be applied to the digitalTV, there is industrial applicability.

1. A display device, comprising: a display; a first external interfaceconfigured to be connected to a first external device; a second externalinterface configured to be connected to a second external device; and acontroller configured to: display, on the display, an external sourcelist menu including first connection port info, illation for identifyingthe first external interface and second connection port information foridentifying the second external interface, detect a first connectionsignal indicating the first external device is connected to the firstexternal interface or a second connection signal indicating the secondexternal device is connected to the second external interface, if thefirst connection signal is detected indicating the first external deviceis connected to the first external interface, receive a first imagecontent from the first external device, and display, the external sourcelist menu, a first moving image obtained after receiving a first capturestart signal until receiving a second capture end signal from a remotecontroller, wherein the first moving image is displayed on a firstposition corresponding to the first connection port informationidentifying the first external interface in the external source listmenu, and if the second connection signal is detected indicating thesecond external device is connected to the second external interface,receive a second image content from the second external device, anddisplay, on the external source list menu, a second moving imageobtained after receiving a third capture start signal until receiving afourth capture end signal from the remote controller, wherein the secondmoving image is displayed on a second position corresponding to thesecond connection port information identifying the second externalinterface in the external source list menu.
 2. The device according toclaim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to display, on theexternal source list menu, the first moving image obtained by capturingthe first image content from a first time when the first capture startsignal is received until a second time when the first capture end signalis received.
 3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the firstcapture start signal is a signal for starting a capture of the firstimage content and the first capture end signal is a signal for ending acapture of the first image content.
 4. The device according to claim 1,wherein the controller is further configured to display a menu forinputting a name of the first and second external devices.
 5. The deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured todisplay the external source list menu in a form of an OSD(on-screen-display).
 6. The device according to claim 1, furthercomprising a tuner to receive a broadcast signal, wherein the controlleris further configured to display an image of a broadcast programincluded in the broadcast signal on the display.
 7. The device accordingto claim 1, wherein the external source list menu includes textdescribing at least one of the first and second external interfaces andthe first and second external devices.
 8. The device according to claim1, wherein the controller is further configured to display only one ofthe first and second moving images at one time.
 9. The device accordingto claim 1, wherein the external source list menu includes connectionstate information of the first or second external devices connected tothe display device.
 10. (canceled)
 11. The device according to claim 1,wherein the first moving image is displayed with a border.
 12. Thedevice according to claim 1, wherein the first moving image is used as afirst label representing the first external device, and the secondmoving image is used as a second label representing the second externaldevice.
 13. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first or secondimage content is an image content currently being displayed on thedisplay.
 14. The device according to claim 1, further comprising amemory configured to store the first and second moving images.
 15. Thedevice according to claim 1, wherein the external source list menu isdisplayed on the display in response a selection of a key on the remotecontroller.
 16. The device according to claim 1, wherein the firstexternal interface is a broadcast external interface for receiving abroadcast program from a broadcasting source, and the second externalinterface is one of a HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface)external interface for connecting to an external source via the HDMIexternal interface and an external terminal interface for connecting toan external terminal via the external terminal interface.
 17. The deviceaccording to claim 16, wherein the external source is a digital discplayer connected to the digital display device via the HDMI externalinterface.
 18. The device according to claim 1, wherein the controlleris configured to display the first moving image by placing the firstmoving image on the first position corresponding to the first externalinput item for selecting the first external device in the externalsource list menu.
 19. The device according to claim 1, wherein thecontroller is configured to display the second moving image by placingthe second moving image on the second position corresponding to thesecond external input item for selecting the second external device inthe external source list menu.
 20. The device according to claim 1,wherein the first image content is an image content currently beingoutput from the first external device and the second image content is animage content currently being output from the second external device.21. The device according to claim 1, wherein the controller is furtherconfigured to: if the first connection signal or the second connectionsignal is not detected, continue to display the first connection portinformation for identifying the first external interface and the secondconnection port information for identifying the second externalinterface on the external source list menu.
 22. The device according toclaim 1, wherein the first moving image and the first connection portinformation are mapped, and wherein the second moving image and thesecond connection port information are mapped.